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Convergence Syndrome & Contextual Cognition
Artificial Intelligence
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05-22-04 |
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During Saturday night's show, guest host Barbara Simpson interviewed "historian of the future" Charles Ostman(1) about nanotechnology, biotechnology, infotechnology, and the possibilities associated with breakthroughs in each of these areas.
Nanotechnology involves manufacturing at a molecular level. According to Ostman, this technology could be used to produce carbon nanofibers suitable to make hydrogen fuel a reality, possibly solving what many see as a coming energy crisis.
Biotechnology is the enterprise of manipulating biology. Ostman believes we should be very cautious as we learn to harvest the processes of nature to create new organisms. He went on to say that stem cell research should be allowed, as it could potentially cure many diseases.
Infotechnology has to do with knowledge management. Ostman asserts the complexity of knowledge management has surpassed human capacity, making us dependent on machines. About this he says, "We've become symbiotically connected to a very complex infrastructure consisting of networks and computers..."
These and other disciplines are coming together to form what Ostman calls a "convergence threshold," which is placing tremendous pressure on humanity to change its view of technology. We must adapt a "systems approach to how we evaluate these new technologies and how they can be applied to our future," Ostman declares. This will require a new type of cognitive process involving machines that behave biologically, he concludes.
1. http://www.technofutures.com/charles1.htm
Day's Big Message |
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(4)In a just published interview(1) on Sci-Fi Wire, the director of The Day After Tomorrow(2), Roland Emmerich, cites Art and Whitley's book The Coming Global Superstorm(3) as an inspiration for his film.
1. http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/art-main.html?2004-05/21/13.00.film |
Bumper music from Saturday May 22, 2004
| 1. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
2. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
3. | Any Colour You Like Pink Floyd |
| 4. | Mandolin Rain Bruce Hornsby |
5. | Never Be the Same Christopher Cross |
6. | One of These Nights Eagles |
| 7. | Miracles Jefferson Starship |
8. | It Don't Come Easy Ringo Starr |
9. | Everywhere Fleetwood Mac |
| 10. | After Midnight Eric Clapton |
11. | Hold Your Head Up Argent |
12. | I Can't Go for That Hall & Oates |
| 13. | Bailamos Enrique Iglesias |
14. | True Spandau Ballet |
15. | Wrapped Around Your Finger Police |
| 16. | Inca Dance Cusco |
17. | Caribbean Breeze The Rippingtons |